PNC Park is going to remain a one team ballpark in 2020 after all.
After it looked official that the Blue Jays would use PNC Park as their home stadium in 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health killed the idea Wednesday.
"In recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “To add travelers to this region for any reason, including for professional sports events, risks residents, visitors and members of both teams. We know that this virus does not discriminate, and can even make professional athletes very sick. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.”
Levine's quote is courtesy of our news partners at WPXI.
The Blue Jays were not granted exemption from Canada's Quarantine Act this week, so they cannot play in Toronto this season. PNC Park was one of the most attractive options for them, due to its relative proximity to Toronto and minimal schedule overlap between the two teams' home games.
However, having teams come from the American and National League East to Pittsburgh and potentially increase the risk of spreading COVID-19 was too much for the Department of Health to green light the plan.
The Pirates are only playing American and National League central teams this season, so adding the Blue Jays' schedule would double the number of teams that came into Pittsburgh.
Pirates team president Travis Williams was vocal that the Pirates were willing to accommodate the Blue Jays, on the condition that they could do it safely.
In a released statement Wednesday, Williams said:
“I am extremely proud of our staff’s effort, together with the support of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, to very quickly present Major League Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays with an option to host their home games here at PNC Park during the 2020 season. This is an unprecedented situation and, therefore, we understand
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement blasting Gov. Tom Wolf and Dr. Levine: “This decision by Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Levine is baffling and disappointing. If it is safe for Pittsburgh to host the Pirates and visiting clubs for 30 games – and it is – then it is safe for Pittsburgh to host the Pirates, the Blue Jays and visiting teams for nearly 60 games. As explained during my roundtable yesterday, Major League Baseball and the Players Association are adhering to CDC guidelines and implementing a rigorous COVID-19 prevention and testing program.
"The Blue Jays in Pittsburgh would have meant more hours for some ballpark workers, increased tax revenue for the city, and a small yet meaningful boost for a number of local businesses struggling during the pandemic. I hope the Governor will change his mind before the Blue Jays find somewhere else to call home this summer.”
The Blue Jays, Major League Baseball and the players association all hope for the Blue Jays to play in a major-league facility this year, but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Baltimore remains an option, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
If that doesn't materialize, the Blue Jays could still potentially play in Buffalo, N.Y., home of their Class AAA affiliate, or Dunedin, Fla., where their spring training facility is located. There is also a chance that they will just be road warriors in 2020 and play without a home park.
The new Pirates leadership has ties to the Blue Jays, with general manager Ben Cherington and assistant GM Steve Sanders both coming from their front office this offseason. Manager Derek Shelton was a quality control coach for the Blue Jays in 2017.
